HOUGHTON, Mich. (WZMQ) – The “Copper Country Cougars” hockey team will be heading to the USA Hockey Adult Women’s National Championship in April.
This team is made up of players from around the Keweenaw Peninsula. These ladies have been hitting the ice together for longer than most.
A pick up hockey game is nothing out of the ordinary in the Upper Peninsula, a pair of defensive partners who have shared the ice for over 40 years is definitely more rare.
“We complement each other,” remarked Lori Geshal, one half of the pairing. The other half, Jill Fallon added “We cover each other.’”
The two played together for the Houghton Angels hockey club in the mid 1970’s. While they aren’t wearing the orange and black of the Angels anymore, they are joined on their current team by 3 other players from their high school days.
“We all played together, or against each other in the 70’s,” commented Shelley Farri.
Admittedly, over the years their on ice performance has slowed down, and playing against competition half their age doesn’t make it any easier, but being on the rink is about more than just taking shots and skating laps.
“The best part is seeing these girls every week, it’s life long friendships,” remarked Farri.
This year the Professional Women’s Hockey League launched, drawing crowds in the thousands across the nation. While the women of the Copper Country Cougars might not be playing in the PWHL, to the next generation of players their games are nothing short of inspiration.
10 year isabella olsen’s mom skates with the teams and says watching the ladies play made her take up the sport.
“I tried it and I loved it,” remarked Olsen.
Don’t get it wrong though, these women can still hold their own on the rink, the team has won 5 pond hockey tournaments over the years and will be traveling to Florida in April to play for a USA Hockey Adult Women’s National Title.
“We are going with the intentions of were playing on Sunday, we are playing on Sunday down in Florida,” added
Whether they bring home the trophy or not, it’s clear for anyone to see this team has already won.
The team is always looking for new women of all ages to join and enjoy the sport of hockey. Anyone interested in hopping on the ice can reach out to the Dee ice arena at (906)-482-7760. The team can also be found on the Bench app by searching “Copper Country Cougars.”
